Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜とですばってん

    〜とですばってん

    〜とですばってん

    This phrase is a polite way to start a sentence. You use it to give a reason or situation first. Then you say something different or unexpected.

    KMT9FormalStandardConjunctionSpoken OnlyKyushuOlder SpeakersKyushu Particles And ConjunctionsGrammar

    Clause + とですばってんPrimary

    This phrase is a polite way to start a sentence. You use it to give a reason or situation first. Then you say something different or unexpected.

    本ほん当とうは今きょ日うじゅ中うに終おわらせる予よ定ていとですばってん、少すこし時じ間かんがかかりそうです。

    The plan was to finish it today, but it seems it's going to take a little more time.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceConcessiveWork & Career
    ご提てい案あんはありがたいとですばってん、今こん回かいは見み送おくらせていただきます。

    We are grateful for your proposal, but we will have to decline this time.

    HumbleNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceConcessiveBusiness & Finance
    昔むかしはよくこの店みせに来きていたとですばってん、最さい近きんはめっきり来こなくなりましたな。

    I used to come to this shop often in the old days, but recently I've completely stopped coming, haven't I.

    FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeDaily LifeFood & Dining
    お気き持もちは分わかるとですばってん、規き則そくは規き則そくですから。

    I understand how you feel, but rules are rules.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceConcessiveWork & CareerPolitics & Law
    あの映えい画が、面おも白しろいというわけではないとですばってん、なぜか心こころに残のこるとです。

    It's not that that movie is particularly interesting, but for some reason it stays with you.

    PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeMusic & Entertainment

    This phrase is like saying 'I'm sorry, but...' in a very polite way. It softens what you say next. It helps you be gentle when you disagree or say no.

    This is more formal than "grammar-batten". "Grammar-batten" just means "but". This form adds a polite explanation first. It is also more formal than "grammar-ken-ga" because "grammar-to-desu" is more polite than "grammar-ken".

    Don't use this if you are not in Kyushu. For example, don't use it in Tokyo.

    Use this when you want to say something that might make someone sad. It helps you be polite. You say something nice first. Then you say the difficult part. This makes your words softer.

    More formal alternatives(2)

    〜ばってん

    This word means 'but' or 'however'. People in the Kyushu area of Japan use it a lot. It connects two different ideas.

    〜ばってんが

    This word means 'but' or 'however'. You use it to show a difference between two ideas. It is used in the Kyushu area of Japan.

    〜です / 〜でした

    This word means 'is' or 'am'. It connects two things. It makes your sentence polite.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜ばってん
    • 〜ばってんが

    prerequisite

    • 〜です / 〜でした

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›